Projects and Products to Make the World a Happier Place. Jennifer Heynen designs sewing patterns, craft kits, quilting fabric, licenses her art to companies for Garden Flags, Bags, Accessories and more all in a Happy and Bright Style.

Jennifer Jangles

Saturday, December 31, 2011

Originally Posted on Oct 3rd, 2009...Oh if you could see my studio now...

Studios Magazine is having an Open Studios tour online this weekend. I thought it sounded like fun, so I am posting the photos of my studio. Since I have been featured in their magazine already, I thought it would be fun to post some before and after pictures. When my studio was new, it so clean and now, well, it's been worked in. I find it impossible to keep it completely clean. Plus, I could always use more space, but isn't that always true? So take a look around and enjoy the photos...Okay, those were the beautiful before pictures, now here is what the studio usually looks like. I will be at an art fair this weekend, so I have been getting ready all week, there's been no time for cleaning.Hope you all enjoyed the tour..have fun visiting other studios, I know I can't wait to see where people create.

Friday, December 30, 2011

Hey Hey, if you have read other art bead blogs this week you'll notice there is a theme.... many artists have decided to post about copyrights and what is and isn't free to take. It's a fine line to walk in the bead and art world and being the always optimistic person that I am I think people just don't know the rules. Heck, I didn't know the rules until I did some research on the topic. Here is one of my favorites so far, It's by Barbe Saint John.

I don't want to repeat what everyone else is saying so I thought I would give you a source to solve some copying issues. When I started out making beads I wanted to have textures and stamps for my work. I am always striving to have something different from any one else so I, of course, didn't want to use stamps from the store. On another note it's also illegal to use someone else's stamps in your work and resell it. Hmm...did you know that? Stamps are made for the crafter who is making gifts and projects for their friends and family. I searched and searched for stamp makers and I even tried to make some of my own. Then I came across this fabulous company called Ready Stamps. They are a non-profit group who employs people with cerebral palsy. You send in a sheet of your original drawings and they send you a sheet of rubber stamps from them. It's super cool and you can read all about it here at the Polymer Clay Express website. You can even download an order form there.

I just sent off a sheet of drawings today and of course being the impatient person I am I want them now! But they are super fast and I will have them in about a week. If you have taken one of my ceramic bead making classes, yes, this is the source. It is in the handout and I always make sure to mention the place because they are great.

So go make your own stamps! Yay! You will have original artwork that no one else will have, remember if they steal your designs they are in trouble.

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Oh boy, I went away for a couple of weeks and everything seemed to multiply! Our garden has exploded. Here my old post where I showed you a picture of the garden after we had just planted it. We have since then harvested, collard greens, onions, lettuce, and tomatoes. We are even replanting some rows that we have used up. Yep we eat a lot of veggies, we're vegetarians. Anyway the basil, tomatoes, and tomatillosare starting to explode now. We plan on making loads of salsa and pasta sauces this summer.Here's another growing thing. My puppy. Here is the old post of this little guy. Hard to believe that was in January and it is now June. He is seven months old now and quite huge. We thought we were getting a 30 pound beagle! Hmm... but we adore him anyway, he is a great dog and is already at 50 pounds and climbing. Too bad he doesn't eat vegetables, we've got plenty.

Speaking of growing, there's one more thing. It's my Etsy shop! Woohoo! I have added some great new things that I don't have on the web site. I also included my glass bead mixes with the beads so all you need to do is string something up. No guess work with colors. I have plans to keep growing my Etsy shop over the next few weeks so keep watching.

Monday, December 26, 2011

Just thought I would show you a picture of me at work. Some of the galleries that I carry my jewelry have requested working photos. So we took some the other day. Here I am in my studio working on some beads. When I paint the beads with underglaze they are all on skewers. This way I can turn them around and I don't have to touch anything that is wet. Once I have a bunch of them painted and in my wooden stands, I go back and put two coats of a shiny clear glaze on them. Then......I know so many steps., I gently take them off and clean out the inside of the hole. If I didn't and there was glaze inside the hole, it would stick in the kiln. That is a real bummer, it's happened too many times. For those of you who don't know glaze is basically crushed glass suspended in water. In the kiln the water burns out and the glass melts. So melted glass stuck to a wire isn't going to come off.

Another day, will show you my kiln loaded....
Gotta go glaze some more beads right now

Saturday, December 24, 2011

I was cleaning up my studio the other day and I found a few photos. These are from the second art fair that I ever did. I was twenty three, just out of college. I had quit my job as a corporate floral designer and needed to come up with something to do. I have my BFA in ceramics and was making some tile tables for fun. People kept telling me I needed to sell them. I signed up for a few art fairs that summer and thought I would try it out. My first show was in Chicago and I did alright. This picture is from my second show in Royal Oak Michigan. I sold out in the first hour. I had to sit there the rest of the weekend with nothing. On one hand I was very excited and on the other hand, I was kicking myself for not making more. That summer is what started my careeer as a self employed artist. I have been in business for 11 years. I started making beads six years ago, but that's a story for another day.

Friday, December 23, 2011

It's an exciting day in the world of Jangles! I got the color proofs of my book! This is the final step before the book goes to the printer. I am so excited. So those of you who don't know, it's titled "Ceramic Bead Jewelry". It's being published by Lark Books and it will be out at the beginning of June.

My book covers everything you need to know to make all kinds of wonderful ceramic beads. The book covers all types of decorating processes, like raku, underglazes, chalks, slips, and, more. And if that isn't enough, I also have 30 jewelry projects in the book all with full page photos and complete instructions. The folks at Lark Books have done an amazing job with the layout and look of the book, I couldn't be happier.

As you can tell, I am so excited about this book! I think you'll love it too.
Jennifer

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Oh my gosh...Otis was so dang cute! I miss that little fuzzy furball and his puppy breath. I still love him as a big dog too. If you're just tuning in, I'm doing some reposting and a little walk down memory lane over the next few weeks.

I went to the office store last Saturday to get some ink for my printer. As we pulled up I saw that the pet store was having a animal shelter adoption day, I knew I was in trouble.

My one and only dog passed away at Thanksgiving. He was 12 and we had gotten him the week after my husband and I were married. We had talked about getting through the holidays and we would start looking at puppies. I think I was especially ready for one, because when you work alone all day you need someone to talk to, even if you don't get answers back to your questions.

Sure enough the boys and I went to look and there he was. It was a litter of three puppies, ten weeks old. They were so relaxed looking, something my previous dog was not so I was hooked. I called my husband over and over for the next hour until I could get a hold of him and tell him about our new dog. I needed him to "okay" him but we all knew I was sold. We brought him right home.

Now it's been 12 years since I have trained a puppy, it's exhausting! We are on his schedule basically. Bathroom breaks every half hour and sleeping next to his crate until he gets used to it. Needless to say, I and working on beads when it's his naptime and playing with him if he's awake.

With the first week under our belts we have made a ton of progress and I hope to be back to blogging regularly next week.

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

How are you? Are you in the holiday rush? Today, actually this morning is it for me and then the parties start.

I will be taking the next few weeks off because Jennifer Jangles is needing a break!I thought though I would dig out some really old posts and we could do a walk down memory lane together. Sounds fun right? So be on the look out over the next few weeks for some old posts...I wonder of I am going to confuse some new blog readers?

Thursday, December 15, 2011

I was supposed to announce the winner of my 50.00 gift certificate on Tuesday and I totally forgot! Yikes...so sorry about that. Wendy Reid! You're the winner! Send me an e-mail jennifer(at)jangles (dot)net and I will give you the details. Yipee!

In my last post I mentioned last day for shipping is the 20th and I have marked down the Christmas items in the store. So I thought I would have one more sale this year. It starts today in the Etsy shop and runs until Dec 20th at 8:00am. Enter Last25 to receive 25% off your entire order. I know you're thinking Christmas is marked down already, do I get an additional 25% off? Yep, you got it sister!(or brother)

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Long time no post...it's that time of year where I am busy, busy trying to wrap things up with the holiday projects, do my own Christmas shopping, and run the gallery. It all caught up with me this weekend and I have a cold. Spent Sunday in bed and I feel like I'm on the mend but my voice is still a mess. I can either whisper or yell, there is now in between voice. Ugh...

I'm not sure what happened but I have been meaning to post for awhile final shipping dates etc. There is only one week left for shipping AAAAh! The boys get out of school on the 20th this year and because I feel like I have been working way too much, I will be closing on the 20th at noon at the gallery and that will also be the last day for shipping any packages. I'll do a fancy little re-cap at the bottom of this post.

I have started marking Christmas beads and gifts down in the Etsy shop as well. Get them while they last...I won't be making more.

Instructions:
1. Start by making 10-12 assorted charms. Have fun combining the holiday beads in different ways.
2. Lay out the brass necklace in a straight line on your bead table. Start in the middle and arrange the charms so they are visually spaced along the chain. It's up to you whether you want charms all of the way up the necklace.
3. Start in the middle and open the wire loop of the charm and attach it to the necklace chain. Close the wire loop. Continue up each side adding you charms according to the layout.
4. Trim any excess wires before wearing.

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Instructions:
1. String a red and a green bead onto a headpin. Just above the bead make a simple wire loop, trim excess wire and set aside.
2. Repeat step one to make a second beaded dangle.
3. Open up the jump ring and string the pendant, the two beaded dangles, and the chain on. Close the jump ring.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

I wanted to show you an easy ornament that I love to make using my holiday pendants. I used 18 gauge silver craft wire and made a spiral at one end. I sent the wire through the pendant hole so the spiral is on top, bent the wire upwards, and slid a bead on. I could then use my round nose pliers to make a larger spiral at the other end for the hanger.

Can't be a five minute project, eh? I just added a hole bunch of holiday pendants to the Etsy shop this morning. You can find them in the Jennifer Jangles web store as well.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

How did it become mid November? I am in the full swing of Christmas here. I have been making lots of Christmas gifts. I can't show you anything because my family reads my blog, so I was thinking I would photograph all of my gifts and then do a post Christmas post. I might be getting close to having everything made. I had also thought about banning the family from reading my blog until after the holidays. Not sure which one I will go with.

I snapped a few photos of last weeks Holiday Project hanging on my trees at the studio. I need to string up another garland for my mantle at home. I might start on it this weekend. I will be working on my outdoor light display this weekend as well. Now I don't turn it on until after Thanksgiving, but I like to get it all hooked up before. every year we try to make it look big but our front yard is down in a valley in the woods so when you drive by on the street it always looks small. We freak my dad out because he can't believe we have some many plugs going into one socket, yes, I am a bit like Clark Griswald.

"Is your house on fire, Clark? No, Aunt Bethany, those are the Christmas lights."

I'm still trying to talk Nik into the 15 foot tall blow up Santa for our yard that I saw at Lowes last week. I really think that would make the yard look better. I also want one of those old plastic blow mold Santa and reindeer sets. I just keep thinking that I will come across some one willing to give me theirs that's been in their attic for years. They used to be really popular.

Instructions:
1. Cut the craft wire in to two 6 inch pieces. Make two wire scrolls with a pair of needle nose pliers.These will be the hooks to attach the garland to the tree. Once made, set them aside.
2. Leaving your thread on the spool, thread the needle and pull about 12" of excess thread through the hole.
3. Begin by stringing a felt ball onto the thread. Next string approximately 7 inches of seed beads.
4. Continue by string a wood bead, follow with another seven inches of seed beads, and then a felt ball.
5. As the thread fills up with beads, unroll a little more thread and slide the beads further down the thread. Follow the previous pattern to string as long of a garland as you would like.
6. Tie the needle end of the thread to the end of a wire scroll. Slide the strung beads up so they are snug against the wire. Tie the remaining end of the garland to the second scroll. Trim any lose threads.

Friday, November 11, 2011

This weeks question comes from Teri at S&T CreationsHow do smaller jewelry makers locate and develop relationships for wholesale purchases? I know some places where I can get good "deals" and we do have a Tax ID for wholesale, which helps.

But I'd love to find those unusual, out of the way, different sources for the unusual beads that are so striking. I see them at bead shows. I know companies can source for wholesale vendors who can buy 100 strands of the same bead, but what about us little guys????

Hi Teri! Thanks for the great question, here's what I know about buying beads for wholesale prices for designing and reselling.

First of all, you can usually buy artist made beads at wholesale prices pretty easily. Most artists will have a wholesale policy that varies a little. There is usually an initial amount that you need to purchase for the discount. It might seem like a large amount of money at first, but if you are designing and selling jewelry, you want to make a statement with what you are selling. So buying a larger amount should be better for your sales. I know with my wholesale policy, you only have to spend the larger amount once and then you can buy smaller amounts to fill in when you sell what you have.

As for strands of glass, wood etc beads. The people who get the best prices actually travel to India, China, or where ever the beads are manufactured. They buy direct from the manufacturers. You have to buy a lot of beads to make a trip to India pay off. Your next best bet is a wholesale only show. Sometimes there are minimum quantities and other times there are no minimums. You must register with the show to attend. This means providing resale information. The Atlanta gift mart has a supply section for retailers and other marts around the country. There are also shows like the Gem and Lapidary Wholesale Shows. These are held at certain times of the year all over the country.

I am taking questions for next weeks and future posts. If you have a question you would like answered by me, e-mail me (jennifer (at) jangles (dot) net) with the subject line, "Ask Me Anything". Leave me a link in the message as well if you have a blog, website, or Etsy shop.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Is it just me or do the holidays seem to be coming on really fast this year? I know I am always an early celebrator, but I am usually the only one. I've seen houses with lights up already, sales are starting at the stores... Don't get me wrong, I'm all for it, I just am concerned people will loose their enthusiasm by the time the actual holiday rolls around. What if no one is out shopping on the day before the night before Christmas? It's tradition in my family to go shopping on that day whether you need anything or not. We, well I, like to be out in all of the crazy-ness that day.
If you haven't wrapped your gifts yet....ha ha....you haven't have you? Here is the link to print out gift cards for your presents.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Exciting News! I told you about the book Inside The Creative Studio awhile ago, well it comes out this month. My home studio is in the book. Mark Lipinski is dedicating one of his Creative Mojo podcasts to this book. He's got a line up of artists that I am pretty honored to be included with. You can got here and find out more about the show. You can listen live from 3-5pm EST tomorrow Wednesday the 9th. If you can't listen then, you can always listen at a later date at his site.

I have to admit I am a little nervous, the show is live,...forgive me if I say something stupid.

Here are a few more photos from my home studio.

I don't show this studio much because I have my new studio. I still work in this one, this is where I sew, design, and paint. My new studio is where I make and glaze all of my buttons, beads, and pottery. For some of my new blog readers, here are some photos of studio number two.

And if you're thinking you've seen Mark Lipinski on my blog before... you're right, here he is with my mom at Quilt Market.....well kind of.

Book: Sew Small

BOOK: Stitch Kitsch

BOOK: Extraordinary Colors

BOOK: Ceramic Bead Jewelry

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Jennifer Jangles uses affiliate programs from time to time for income. These are links that lead to Amazon, Craftsy, and others. This helps me be able to bring you free projects. I never link to anything that I don't personally use or recommend, you can be sure of that. I take this very seriously. As always, please contact me if you have questions.